Power Drive Video     

The Power Drive program gives high school students hands-on experience building a safe, energy-efficient electric vehicle. More than 50 teams are designing and building electric-powered vehicles during the school year. After building their vehicles, student drivers test their creations against other teams in several categories. Several preliminary competitions will be held this Spring, prior to the state finals. The student-built vehicles are tested for braking ability, endurance, maneuverability and overall design/construction.

Through Power Drive, vocational and science students learn:

• practical application of math and science skills
• automotive design, engineering and construction
• industrial, electrical and mechanical skills
• electric vehicle history and current technology
• teamwork, problem solving and fun

Omaha Public Power District (OPPD) began offering the Power Drive program to high schools in its service territory in 1998. Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) became a partner in 1999 and began encouraging schools in the central and western parts of the state to participate. In addition to high schools, several Nebraska colleges have developed Power Drive teams who compete in the Exhibition Class. Programs similar to Power Drive are currently operating in 28 states.

2009 Power Drive Schedule
March 28, 2009	Hastings Time Trials  Motorsports Park Hastings  East Highway 6  Hastings, Nebraska
March 29, 2009 12 p.m.	Big Red Invitational  University of Nebraska Tractor Testing Lab  35th & East Campus Loop Road  Lincoln, Nebraska
April 3, 2009 1 p.m.	Alternate Fuels Odyssey  Central Community College  4500 63rd Street  Columbus, Nebraska
April 4, 2009 9 a.m.	Cuming County Open  Cuming County Fairgrounds  West Washington Street  West Point, Nebraska
April 18, 2009 9 a.m.	Bulldog Classic  Memorial Park  4th Street & North Tabor Avenue  North Platte, Nebraska
April 18, 2009 9 a.m.	Wayne State College Spring Rally  First National Center - Wayne  1100 East 10th Street  Wayne, Nebraska
April 25, 2009 9 a.m.	Kearney Power Drive  Kearney Raceway Park  North Dragstrip Road  Kearney, Nebraska
May 2, 2009 9 a.m.	Power Drive Championships  Mid-America Motorplex  19340 Jessup Avenue  Pacific Junction, Iowa

For further information, contact:
Diana Luscher Energy Educator NPPD - Kearney Phone: (308) 236-2230	Gene Hahn Senior Systems Analyst NPPD - Columbus Phone: (402) 563-5426
Mark Miller Communication Specialist NPPD - Columbus Phone: (402) 563-5851